Earth's Layers Mini Flashcard

Front

What is the outer core?

Back

The outer core is a liquid layer of the Earth located beneath the mantle and above the inner core. It is primarily composed of iron and nickel and is responsible for generating Earth's magnetic field.

Front

What is the inner core?

Back

The inner core is the solid, innermost layer of the Earth, composed mainly of iron and nickel. It is extremely hot and under immense pressure.

Front

What is the asthenosphere?

Back

The asthenosphere is a semi-fluid layer of the Earth's mantle located below the lithosphere. It allows for the movement of tectonic plates.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It is divided into tectonic plates.

Front

What is the crust?

Back

The crust is the outermost layer of the Earth, composed of solid rock. It includes both continental and oceanic crust.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Tectonic plates are large sections of the lithosphere that move and interact with each other, causing geological activity such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Front

What is the difference between the mantle and the crust?

Back

The mantle is a thick layer of semi-solid rock beneath the crust, while the crust is the thin, outermost layer of the Earth.

Front

How does the temperature change from the crust to the inner core?

Back

The temperature increases significantly from the crust (about 0-30°C) to the inner core (up to 5,700°C), due to the heat generated from the Earth's formation and radioactive decay.

Front

What is the role of the outer core in Earth's magnetic field?

Back

The movement of liquid iron in the outer core generates electric currents, which produce Earth's magnetic field.

Front

What is the composition of the Earth's inner core?

Back

The inner core is primarily composed of solid iron and nickel.